Villa Vie cruise halts in Cambodia
Luxury cruise passengers stranded in Cambodia due to soaring fuel costs
Wednesday, 28 October 2026
Photo by Stephanie Klepacki on Unsplash
Warm-up
- Have you ever taken a cruise or a long trip? Where?
- What would you like to do on a ship for fun?
- What problems can happen during long travel?
Vocabulary
- voyage
- a long trip, especially by sea
- fuel
- energy like oil or gas that powers engines
- suspend
- to stop something for a period of time
- stranded
- unable to leave a place
- disembark
- to leave a ship after a journey
- itinerary
- the plan of places and times on a trip
- restructuring
- a process to change a company’s finances and plans
- port
- a town or place by the sea where ships stop
Reading
Listen to this story
British EnglishThe Villa Vie Odyssey, a luxury cruise ship, suspended its voyage because fuel costs rose sharply. The operator, Villa Vie Residences, said passengers were stranded in Sihanoukville, a port in Cambodia. It is working on disembarkation plans and temporary living arrangements.
The ship left Belfast in October 2024 for a continuous world voyage planned for 3.5 years and nearly 150 countries. It was more than 750 days into the trip when operations stopped. The vessel can carry up to 650 people; about 200 were on board.
Fuel costs in parts of Asia rose from about $1,800 to as much as $8,000 per cabin each month. The company said slowing the itinerary and spending more time in port did not save enough. It will spend 60 days on restructuring, but no outcome is assured. Some passengers chose to disembark and travel by land, while others would like the ship to continue soon.
Comprehension
- Why did the Villa Vie Odyssey suspend its voyage?
- Where are the passengers stranded?
- When and from where did the ship start its world voyage?
- How high did monthly fuel costs per cabin rise in parts of Asia?
- What will the company do for the next 60 days?
Grammar focus
Would like vs like
Use would like for a wish or polite want now; like for general preferences and habits. Forms: would like + noun / to + verb; like + noun / verb-ing. (Examples constructed.)
- Right now, some travellers would like clearer updates.
- Many passengers like evenings on deck.
Grammar exercise
Complete each sentence with like or would like (+ to/-ing) as needed.
- After the delay, passengers (like) ___ a refund now.
- In general, cruise fans (like) ___ long sea days.
- If prices fell, some travellers (like) ___ to continue.
- Families usually (like) ___ booking cabins near the pool.
- Right now, a few people (like) ___ to stay on board.
Discussion
- Would you like to live on a ship for months? Why or why not?
- What costs make travel expensive today?
- What would you do if you were stranded abroad?
- Which is better for a long trip: sea or air travel?
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